Testosterone and Metabolism: Effects on Health & Fitness

Testosterone is a hormone produced by both sexes---in the ovaries of females, the testes of males and adrenal glands of both. It is one of the most influential hormones produced in the body.

Function

• Testosterone influences muscle mass, strength, endurance, body fat, and even brain and emotional health.

Overall Benefits

• Testosterone helps prevent health issues and heart ailments, high blood pressure, obesity and joint problems (including arthritis). It also increases muscle mass, improves sexual health, helps bodies heal faster and decreases cholesterol.

Metabolism Benefits

• Testosterone increases muscle mass, which increases the amount of fat burned in the body. The hormone also helps increase endurance, which also promotes weight loss.

Aging and Metabolism

• One of the reasons why it may be harder to lose weight as we age is because testosterone steadily decreases after the age of 40. Also, as we get older, stress increases, and stress hormones counteract testosterone, further impacting metabolism.

Warning

• The only way to supplement low testosterone levels is to obtain a prescription from a physician.